Use this letter to contact your local representatives for support.
Subject: Request to Amend Proposition 19 — Protect Family Property Transfers
Dear [Assemblymember/Senator Last Name],
I am writing as a concerned California resident and voter in your district regarding the unintended consequences of Proposition 19, particularly the property tax reassessment triggered by parent-to-child transfers of family homes.
While Prop 19 was marketed as a benefit to wildfire victims and seniors, many of us have since realized its severe financial impact on families wishing to pass down property — especially homes that have been in families for generations.
Under the current law, even if a child moves into their family home as their principal residence, they face partial or substantial reassessment if the property’s market value significantly exceeds the exclusion cap. For families in high-cost areas of California, this tax burden is often unsustainable, ultimately forcing the sale of inherited homes.
I respectfully urge you to consider supporting or introducing legislation to amend Prop 19, particularly:
Restoring broader exemptions for family transfers, especially when the child makes the home their primary residence.
Increasing the exclusion cap to reflect California’s real estate values, particularly in regions where even modest family homes now exceed several million dollars in market value.
Providing clearer avenues for families to preserve generational wealth without being punished by reassessment penalties.
Protecting family homes should not be at odds with ensuring fair taxation — but Prop 19’s rigid structure fails to account for California’s diverse housing markets. I hope that as my representative, you will help champion this issue to provide relief and fairness to long-standing California families.
Thank you for your service and consideration. I would appreciate any updates on legislative efforts regarding this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address or ZIP Code]
[Optional: Your Phone or Email]